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Introduction
Understanding Greek words is fundamental in Biblical studies because these words often hold historical, cultural, and theological significance. The word Ἐφεσῖνος (Ephesinos, Strong’s G2179) is particularly important as it relates to the people or things pertaining to the ancient city of Ephesus. Ephesus was a major center of early Christianity and ancient Greek culture, and understanding the term Ἐφεσῖνος provides insight into the cultural and geographical context of several New Testament writings, including the book of Ephesians. This word’s study reveals the deep interconnection between geography, identity, and early Christian communities.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: Ἐφεσῖνος (Ephesinos) [e-fe-SI-nos]
- Etymology: Derived from the name of the city Ἔφεσος (Ephesos), meaning “Ephesus,” a significant ancient city in Asia Minor, with the suffix -ῖνος (-inos), which denotes belonging or relation to a place.
- Part of Speech: Adjective (masculine and feminine).
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- Pertaining to Ephesus: Refers to anything related to or belonging to the city of Ephesus.
- Ephesian: A person who is an inhabitant of Ephesus.
Similar Words: Ἔφεσος (Ephesos) [E-fe-sos] refers to the city of Ephesus itself. While Ἔφεσος is a noun that designates the actual place, Ἐφεσῖνος is an adjective used to describe people, artifacts, or other entities that originate from or are associated with Ephesus.
Further Insights: Ἐφεσῖνος follows the standard declension pattern for Greek adjectives of the first and second declension. The word changes form depending on the gender, number, and case it is used in. The masculine and feminine forms are identical, while the neuter form ends in -ον. Below is a table showing the full declension of Ἐφεσῖνος:
| Case / Number | Masculine / Feminine | Neuter |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | Ἐφεσῖνος | Ἐφεσῖνον |
| Genitive | Ἐφεσίνου | Ἐφεσίνου |
| Dative | Ἐφεσίνῳ | Ἐφεσίνῳ |
| Accusative | Ἐφεσῖνον | Ἐφεσῖνον |
| Vocative | Ἐφεσῖνε | Ἐφεσῖνον |
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Lexicon Insights
- BDAG: Defines Ἐφεσῖνος as an adjective meaning “Ephesian,” relating to the people of Ephesus or something belonging to the city of Ephesus. It is often used to describe inhabitants or artifacts.
- Thayer’s: Thayer’s Lexicon notes that Ἐφεσῖνος is used to signify something or someone originating from Ephesus. The entry highlights its use in identifying cultural and geographic aspects of the early Christian context.
- Vine’s: Describes Ἐφεσῖνος as a designation for the inhabitants of Ephesus and discusses its relevance in identifying individuals or groups connected to this significant city, particularly within the context of the Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys.
- LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon elaborates on Ἐφεσῖνος as an adjective referring to Ephesus and its inhabitants. It also provides examples of its usage in classical Greek literature to describe Ephesian citizens or things of Ephesian origin.
- Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s Concordance simply defines Ἐφεσῖνος as “Ephesian,” highlighting its straightforward use to denote someone or something from Ephesus.
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Related Scripture References
- Acts 19:28 – “When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians [Ἐφεσίνων]!'”
- Acts 19:34 – “But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcry arose from them all as they shouted for about two hours, ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians [Ἐφεσίνων]!'”
- Acts 21:29 – “For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian [Ἐφεσῖνον] in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text |
|---|---|---|
| Strabo | “Geography” | “The Ἐφεσῖνοι (Ephesians) were known for their devotion to Artemis, whose temple was among the Seven Wonders of the World.” |
| Pausanias | “Description of Greece” | “The city of the Ἐφεσῖνοι (Ephesians) held many festivals in honor of their patron goddess, Artemis.” |
| Plutarch | “Lives” | “Many from among the Ἐφεσῖνοι (Ephesians) joined in the defense of their city against external forces.” |
| Septuagint | “1 Maccabees 15:23” | “To the Ἐφεσίνων (Ephesians), he wrote letters of friendship.” |
| Septuagint | “2 Maccabees 4:19” | “Menelaus, coming to the Ephesian [Ἐφεσίνων] games, stole gold for an offering.” |
| Septuagint | “3 Maccabees 6:1” | “The Jews of Ephesus [Ἐφεσίνων] defended themselves with valor.” |
Summary of Ἐφεσῖνος (G2179: Ephesinos)
The Greek word Ἐφεσῖνος (Ephesinos, Strong’s G2179) is an adjective meaning “Ephesian” or “pertaining to Ephesus.” This word serves to describe anything connected to the ancient city of Ephesus, whether people, artifacts, or culture. As a prominent city in Asia Minor, Ephesus plays a crucial role in early Christian history, notably in the New Testament, where Paul addressed the Ephesian church in his letters. The term is often used to designate geographical and cultural identity and appears in classical literature to emphasize Ephesus’s influence and significance in the ancient world.
Did You Know?
Did you know that Ephesus was home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—the Temple of Artemis? The Ephesians (Ἐφεσῖνοι) were known for their devotion to Artemis, and the temple served as both a religious center and a major tourist attraction in the ancient world. This cultural heritage still fascinates archaeologists and historians today.
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